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Wednesday, 13 February 2008

Tip 8: Pace yourself

If you are thinking about taking to 2 wheels this spring be sure to ease your way in. You are then much more likely to enjoy it and stick with it, rather than ending up red faced, achey and frustrated.

A few tips…

• Cycle at a leisurely pace rather the racing along with the Lycra clan. You will look far more graceful and will arrive at your destination fully composed with out any unsightly sweat patches.

• If you have not cycled for a while start off by doing a few laps of your local park then graduate to short routes that you know, to the shops or local café.

• If your journey to work seems a little daunting start off by cycling to you’re nearest tube or train station, ensuring you lock your bike up securely.

• When you feel ready to cycle all the way to work check your route on TFL’s Journey Planner Select the cycling option and type in your starting point and destination and it will recommend a route on quieter, more cycle friendly roads.

• Armed with your map choose a nice sunny day at the weekend, when you have no time restraints, to explore your route. Do not cycle to work for the first time on a Monday morning if you are not entirely sure where you’re going. It could result in you getting lost and turning up at work late and flustered.

• When you have mastered your route just cycle in twice a week to start with to get your fitness levels up. Never force yourself to cycle when you don’t feel like.

Do not feel you have to cycle when….

• You have the mother of all hangovers

• It’s a blowing a gale or chucking it down with rain or both

• You are wearing a pencil skirt and 6 inch heels and have just spent an hour on your hair for a big meeting or date.

• You are reading a particularly good book and quite fancy a bus journey.